Thursday, February 17, 2011

Stylish and Versatile Blogger Award

This trending stylish and versatile blogger award was given to me by Third World Profashional and Mamuje. As part of the fun, I'm required to:


1) Thank the blogger that gave you the award.


2) Then list 7 things about yourself.


3) Give out the same awards to 15 other bloggers.


4) Then contact them.

So here goes nothing:

I will start off by thanking Miss 3rdWP and Mamuje for bestowing upon my blog this wonderful honour, it's lovely, thank you dolls. *hugs*



Seven Things about Me: 

1. I will start with by sharing some not so flattering things about myself. I have narcissistic tendencies. With my strong sense of perfectionism comes many flaws, like narcissism and a desperate attempt to control outcomes, feelings, and other uncontrollable things. As a result, I am frequently unhappy about the outcome of things, especially when they don’t go the way I envision. These days, I am learning to let go and let God.



2. I also have snobbish tendencies. Do you see how I did not say I’m a snob? I only display some tendencies. And I don’t do this out of a sense of elitism or an unreal sense of self-importance. It’s just that sometimes I fear being uncomfortable and will stay away from uncomfortable situations by any means possible. So for example, if my friends were going to a social event that required too much mingling, I won’t go. Not because I’m too posh to mingle, but if it’s not my scene (i.e. something I’m really into)  and I suspect that it will be uncomfortable and I would rather not go.


3. I am aging prematurely. Let me explain. I’ve noticed that my classic taste for the finer and simpler things in life is not in vogue with my peers. This applies to what I eat, how I dress, what movies I love, and what activities I enjoy. Although I’m 23, I am generally more comfortable with people in their early to mid-thirties. My friends often say I should seize my youth and live in the now. But I have no idea what that even means. I have no interest in wearing ripped leggings and bohemian gladiators in the name of youthful exuberance. Moccasins and shorts are more up my alley. But I can’t deny experiencing a sense of loss when I hear those comments about my fleeting youth. Please share your thoughts: what exactly do 23 year olds do? What do they wear? How do they stay young?


4. I am in love with a man who loves me back and is incredibly smart and handsome and fabulous. But I can’t help thinking; it’s all too good to be true. What is up with that mentality that something this wonderful could happen to me? Damn it, I know I deserve a man who is smart and handsome and fabulous. Every day, I’m learning to live in the moment.


5. So on to more frivolous details about my life. People tell me I’m very nice and thoughtful. Before I used to think it was a weakness. That made me cautious and always on guard because I didn’t want people to take advantage of my generosity. But over time, I’ve come to realize and appreciate that being nice and thoughtful are actually good things, go figure!


6. I am too curious for words!  I like to think google was made for me! There’s nothing that I want to know about, that I won’t find out about. The only enigmas that I haven’t cracked are algorithms and God. Algorithms; because I have the attention span of a goldfish for mathematics. And God; because God is unfathomable.
 
7. Sometimes I wonder why I blog. If you haven’t noticed, my postings on this blog have been few and sporadic. I know I say I will post more entries, more often; but most times I would rather just read other blogs and comment than post one of my own. Does this make me selfish? lazy? bored? I don’t know or probably a combination of all those things. But I no longer know why I’m doing this . Sometimes I think, perhaps, if I wasn’t posting anonymously, I would have a stronger commitment to this space. But I won’t go public here. I’ve already shared too much about my real life. Maybe I need to turn a new leaf and start a new (un-anonymous) blog all together. We will see.



And there you have it, seven random things about my life. The instructions for this meme say to tag 15 people. That is serious work. So since this meme has gone around blogville a fair bit, and I’m filling it out quite late - if you haven’t done it and you’re reading this post: consider yourself TAGGED!


And happy belated Valentine's day folks! I hope you laughed, got some good nookie, and ate more than your fair share of sweets. I know I did two of the above ;)

Monday, January 31, 2011

Best Blogs for African Studies Students

If you are an African enthusiast who enjoys reading about the Continent, check out these links here.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Woe is Me

Today my Uterus is not cooperating with me.

self-explanatory.

full-stop.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Winter Boots



...because winter fashion is hard and that eskimo look is not sexy.



It can be hard to stay sexy in this Canadian winter with all that much need layering and padding. And don't forget the icy-roads and sidewalks and slush (oh my!).  But my Fashionistas, we have to remind ourselves that winter fashion is possible, winter fashion can be practical and winter fashion is fun!

I've been searching for boots for a while now and since Winter is almost over (only 3 more months to go!) winter styles at the mall have started going on sale. So y'know your girl is looking to get something cute. I found these boots from Aldo and Nordstrom. As usual, the nordstrom bootie is a bit pricey but they're all très cute! As you will see, I'm a big fan of the brown, because I feel black shoes look too serious and formal. I like to keep it casual-chic. Check out the boots and share your thoughts!

Michael Kors 'Carlie' Faux Fur Bootie - $194

Aldo Buzzelli Mid-calf boot - $104.99

Aldo Wootan Ankle Boot - $140




Aldo Rubio Ankle Boot - $90.99

..for the colorful fashionista. Heck, I would rock it!

Aldo Horio (black suede) - $62.99










Monday, January 10, 2011

Back to Africa

­­We live in a society where no matter how bright you are, the circumstances of your birth determine how well you do, except of course if by some miracle you find yourself in government where plunder is the only option. This has got to be the only place on earth where honesty is derided as foolishness and theft and plunder are celebrated. This is a place where we don’t, as a matter of course, groom thinkers and philosophers or scientists and inventors; a place where patriotism is the last word on anyone’s lips, not surprisingly because it is difficult to feel fervour and passion for a place, which kills dreams and hopes.
 -Kadaria Ahmed  in Observations: The lesson from the North (10/01/11)


These are the kinds of stories I find in the news at a time when I`m thinking of my Exodus-cum-Exit Strategy to Nigeria. There are so many factors to consider in this exodus... 


Will I find work
Will I find pay
Will I find play
Will I find convenience
Will I find happiness
Where is my future heading?

After living in the West for almost a decade, I have become accustomed to this culture, norms, values and general way of life. So a few days ago when my folks said to me  ­­­ 'start thinking about coming back home', ask me why I experienced shock, panic, anger...? But believe me, I consider myself very patriotic, I love my Country. But I don`t like what it does to dreams, hopes, and aspirations.

You know how people say, `hard work pays` - well, that is not necessarily the case in my Country. Hard work does not always pay. The system is not in equilibrium. You can work for 35 years as a Public Servant and end up with no pension.  Your altitude in life is dependent on luck and chance, if anything. My Country is not a welfare state. I have seen homeless former veterans, who became amputated during my Country`s civil war and  various heroic `save-them` missions in West Africa. These individuals have nothing to show for it...unless you`re a top general living in the Hills. The average low-rank former veteran is broke, lining up monthly at a window scrapping to collect any semblance of a pension package. 

My people, with this kind of treatment, why should I surrender and run back to the unopen arms of my Country. Think: a lover forsaking all and running back to unrequited love, please why bother?  



Let me know your thoughts. 

P.S: I am not a fashion designer or any of those entertainment/celebrity-like things that many Western graduates have gone back to do in my country. Don`t get me wrong; I believe everyone has their part to play. But I am a glasses-doning, Political Economist yuppie, living and working in a capital city.  How can I surrender all of this for a high dose of uncertainty?